Industries and Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Monday said an investigation found negligence in the deaths of 10 people from toxic hydrogen sulfide gas at Ferdous Steel Recycling Industries in Sitakunda, Chattogram, and those responsible will face action under existing law. 

“Action will be taken against the yard owner under the existing law through the judicial process. However, we can't determine what the punishment will be; it will be decided through the judicial process,” he said at a press conference at the Ministry of Industries in the capital on the investigation report into the incident at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Yard. 

According to the minister, toxic gas was suddenly released while a tank at the yard was being cut open. The concentration of the gas was so high that those exposed lost consciousness immediately, leaving 10 people dead. 

He said the industrial sector had previously lacked sufficient awareness that a fatal gas such as hydrogen sulfide could be released from plastic materials during such operations.

“The incident has therefore provided an important lesson for the sector,” he said, adding that the investigation committee had recommended measures to prevent similar accidents.

The government formed a three-member expert committee to determine the cause of the accident, assess the risks and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence. The committee, headed by BUET Chemical Engineering Department Professor Dr Md Yasir Arafat Khan, submitted its report within the stipulated timeframe.

Additional Secretary of the Industries Ministry AKM Benjamin, Professor Khan and other members of the committee were present at the press conference.

Muktadir said the government contacted the relevant association immediately after receiving news of the accident and took prompt measures to ensure treatment of the injured.

The association also informed the government that financial assistance would be provided to the families of those who died, he said.

Officials of the recycling yard remained at the site from the morning after the accident, while the Army cordoned off the entire area from noon to prevent further incidents.

“Safety measures were maintained until authorities were certain that the gas leakage had completely stopped,” he said.

The minister said Bangladesh’s ship recycling industry is still developing, with several yards having obtained green certification and others currently undergoing the certification process.

He said the government is committed to transparency and to providing the public with accurate information about accidents and other incidents.

“A culture of publishing investigation reports within the stipulated timeframe is being established whenever an investigation committee is formed,” he said.

Asked specifically about the punishment the yard owner could face, Muktadir said the investigation report had made recommendations in this regard.

“Under the existing law, whatever punishment is applicable will be imposed through the judicial process. We cannot determine what the punishment will be,” he said.